6 UGs killed in gunfight with Assam Rifles
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, June 23 2013: At least six underground activists have been reportedly eliminated by security forces during a heavy gun battle that took place close to KangchupShonglung areas in the wee hours of Sunday.

However, it is still sketchy as to which UG outfit the slain cadres belonged to.

Earlier in the morning, it was speculated that the six slain cadres hailed from NSCN-K.But later in the afternoon, it was again speculated that slain militants were from Kuki National Front (KNF).

But again, this version seems to be not true.

Details including the identities of the slain militants and the militant outfit they belonged are awaited.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by PIB Defence Wing in connection with the gun-fight, however, said that based on intelligence inputs gathered from various sources since last one month about the presence of heavily armed terrorists of Village Mobile Group of NSCN (K), a co-ordinated cordon and search operation was launched in the area of Shonglung in Tamenglong district by security forces of the Nonei Battalion under the aegis of Red Shield Division.

Alerted security personnel stepping up vigil after the gun fight that led to elimination of six underground cadres on Sunday.

At about 4 pm on June 22, a group of heavily armed terrorists ran into the security forces ambush parties and fired upon them.

The security forces responded with calibrated fire.

After an intense firefight lasting for over one hour, the area was cordoned off by the security forces and a thorough search of the area commenced during early hour of June 23 .

During the search, bodies of six unidentified terrorists in combat fatigue were recovered by security forces along with huge quantity of arms and ammunition.

The recoveries included four AK-47 Rifles, one M-16 Rifles, one A3 Rifles, seven managzines of AK-47, two magazines of M-16, 47 live rounds of AK-47 and 38 live rounds of M-16, the PIB Defence Wing release said, adding that the operation is still under progress in the area.

The statement further informed that Maj Gen KK Sinha, GOC, Red Shield Division and Brig PC Nair, Commander of Loktak Brigade visited the site to take stock of the situation.

The Major General complimented the troops on the excellent conduct of the operations.

The statement also pointed out that this is the second major operation carried out by the Red Shield Division in the past one week.

On June 18, troops of Red Shield Division busted a likely camp of NSCK (K)/ZUF and recovered huge quantity of explosives and war like stores.

The statement observed that the latest operation under Col Ajay Sharma and his team of officers and jawans of the Nonei Battalion has given a major blow to the terrorist outfits, which have been terrorizing the local population and vitiated the security atmosphere in the State.

The operation also underlines the commitment of the security forces towards the cause of peace and development in the State by operating pro-actively against the elements inimical to the cause of the nation.

On the other hand, troops of 15 Assam Rifles of 9 Sector under HQ IGAR (South) reportedly apprehended one overground worker of KCP (MC) today during an operation launched at Wangjing.

According to PRO IGAR (S), the apprehendee has been identified as Md Feijul Haque, aged 25 years, S/o Md Ibocha, resident of Sora Mayai Leikai (Ward No-4) .

One Mobile Phone with two SIM Cards, one Driving Licence and Cash amounting to Rs 7200 were recovered from the apprehendee who along with recoveries have been subsequently handed over to Thoubal Police Station.